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Funder: Great Ormond Street Children’s Charity, Funder: The Brain Tumour Charity; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100002203, Funder: National Institute for Health Research; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000272, Funder: Olivia Hodson Cancer Fund, Funder: CHILDREN with CANCER UK; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100001273, Funder: Cancer Research UK; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000289, Funder: Wellcome Trust; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100010269, Funder: Medical Research Council; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000265

With the omics tool, the challenges in understanding the microbial community functions are becoming more intriguing. It is the environment created scenario, which demands alignment of the different members of the community for the desired output leading to common condition for their survival. The resultant community pathways provide a broad umbrella of metabolic options giving the desired plasticity, which plays decision making role in the adaptation process. The initial step in community characterization must involve the discovery of key and core member of the community and monitoring the fluctuations in functional abundance over the space and time. The concept of entropy and metabolic fluxes must reflect the inner metabolic machinery of the taxon selection and route of functional operation in a community. The segregation of member based on their functional role and hierarchical level in the community must be an essential step to be followed by interaction mapping and measurement of metabolic fluxes to derive the flow of metabolites within the community. This conceptual framework and integrated omics tools with supported statistical modeling algorithm can help in bringing out finer details in the process of community functional adaptation in any given scenario.

In 2016 Gagliano et al. reported evidence for associative learning in plants (Gagliano et al., 2016). A subsequent attempt to replicate this finding by the present author was not successful (Markel, 2020). Gagliano et al. attribute this lack of replication to differences in the experimental set-ups used in the original work and the replication attempt (Gagliano et al., 2020). Here, based on a comparison of the two set-ups, I argue that these differences are unable to explain the lack of replication in Markel, 2020.

The Indian sugar industry, a significant player in the national economy, has faced many challenges in the course of its journey. The threat posed by the growing pandemic novel corona virus (COVID-19), has been the most recent one and it is impacting sugar industry stakeholders and its integrated industries, not only in India, but all over the world. The entire value chain of the Indian sugar industry, viz., sugarcane, sugar, molasses, ethanol and their subsequent marketing and export, has been adversely affected from the spillover impacts. The major impacts of COVID-19 on Indian sugar industry are discussed.

Abnormal cytoplasmic accumulation of fused in sarcoma (FUS) protein is the pathological hallmark of some cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with transactive response DNA‐binding protein of 43KDa (TDP‐43)‐negative pathology that lack SOD1 mutations. FUS is an RNA‐binding protein located predominantly in the nucleus and is involved in regulation of transcription, alternative splicing, RNA stability, microRNA biogenesis, apoptosis and cell division. FUS, Ewing's sarcoma (EWS) and TATA‐binding protein‐associated factor 15 (TAF15) proteins constitute the FET (FUS/EWS/TAF15) family, highly conserved and ubiquitously expressed RNA‐binding proteins that shuttle between nucleus and cytoplasm assisted by the nuclear import protein Transportin 1 (Trn1), This study was partially funded by Fundació Marató de TV3 (grant no. 20143810 to RSV, no. 20141610 to EG and no. 201437.10 to RRG) and Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER) (PI16/01673 to JG and PI15/01618 to RRG).

Methane (CH(4)) is a well-known and abundant feedstock for natural gas, and is readily available from various sources. In thermal plants, the CH(4) generated from anthropogenic sources is converted into electrical energy via combustion. Microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology has proven to be an efficient strategy for the biological conversion of a many substrates, including biogas (CH(4)), to electricity. MFC technology uses gaseous substrate along with an enriched and selective microbial consortium. Predominantly, methanotrophs and electrochemically active Geobacter were utilized in a syntrophic association on the anode of an MFC. This review focuses on the exploitation of CH(4) as a substrate for bioelectrogenesis via MFCs.

Carotenoids belong to the widespread group of lipophilic tetraterpenoids that play essential roles in plants, microbes, and animals. In photosynthetic microalgae and cyanobacteria, carotenoids are the fundamental components of photosynthesis and protect these organisms from excess radiations, and oxidative stress. Also, polar xanthophyll carotenoids are well known to regulate the biophysical properties of cellular membranes with respect to corresponding changes in temperature. In Zygomycetes fungi, carotenoids-derived trisporoids play crucial roles in early sexual reproduction and mycelial development. Considering these multifaceted roles, carotenoids are widely researched on. In this article, we highlighted the emerging roles of carotenoids in the survival and adaptations of microalgae, bacteria, and fungi under normal as well as extreme environmental conditions.

Reanalysis of published experimental data shows that in dehydrating leaves ABA accumulation is linked with reduction of cell volume rather than turgor, providing clues toward signaling mechanisms.

In 2016, we reported four substantial observations of APECED/APS1 patients, who are deficient in AIRE, a major regulator of central T cell tolerance (Meyer et al., 2016). Two of those observations have been challenged. Specifically, 'private' autoantibody reactivities shared by only a few patients but collectively targeting >1000 autoantigens have been attributed to false positives (Landegren, 2019). While acknowledging this risk, our study-design included follow-up validation, permitting us to adopt statistical approaches to also limit false negatives. Importantly, many such private specificities have now been validated by multiple, independent means including the autoantibodies ' molecular cloning and expression. Second, a significant correlation of antibody-mediated IFN a neutralization with an absence of disease in patients highly disposed to Type I diabetes has been challenged because of a claimed failure to replicate our findings (Landegren, 2019). However, flaws in design and implementation invalidate this challenge. Thus, our results present robust, insightful, independently validated depictions of APECED/APS1, that have spawned productive follow-up studies. Non

Recent molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of human hemoglobin (Hb) give results in disagreement with experiment. Although it is known that the unliganded (T[Formula: see text]) and liganded (R[Formula: see text]) tetramers are stable in solution, the published MD simulations of T[Formula: see text] undergo a rapid quaternary transition to an R-like structure. We show that T[Formula: see text] is stable only when the periodic solvent box contains ten times more water molecules than the standard size for such simulations. The results suggest that such a large box is required for the hydrophobic effect, which stabilizes the T[Formula: see text] tetramer, to be manifested. Even in the largest box, T[Formula: see text] is not stable unless His146 is protonated, providing an atomistic validation of the Perutz model. The possibility that extra large boxes are required to obtain meaningful results will have to be considered in evaluating existing and future simulations of a wide range of systems.

We are writing to reply to the comment by Pouwels et al., 2019 about our recent study (Olesen et al., 2018) on antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance.

Inositol polyphosphate binding specificity of the jasmonate receptor is largely determined by the F-box protein COI1.

I would like to report significant issues of concern regarding this paper (Savory et al., 2017).

Many animals can orient using the earth’s magnetic field. In a recent study, we performed three distinct behavioral assays providing evidence that the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans orients to earth-strength magnetic fields (Vidal-Gadea et al., 2015). A new study by Landler et al. suggests that C. elegans does not orient to magnetic fields (Landler et al., 2018). They also raise conceptual issues that cast doubt on our study. Here, we explain how they appear to have missed positive results in part by omitting controls and running assays longer than prescribed, so that worms switched their preferred migratory direction within single tests. We also highlight differences in experimental methods and interpretations that may explain our different results and conclusions. Together, these findings provide guidance on how to achieve robust magnetotaxis and reinforce our original finding that C. elegans is a suitable model system to study magnetoreception.

The health beneficial attributes of bifidobacteria and its safe association with the host gut has increased its significance as a probiotic. However delivering probiotic bifidobacteria with Minimum Biological Value (MBV) through product has always been a challenge. In the present study, an attempt was made to maintain the viability of native isolate of Bifidobacterium longum CFR 815j and deliver through ice-cream. B. longum CFR815j was microencapsulated in alginate starch capsules by emulsification followed by evaluation of bead stability in simulated gastrointestinal conditions. After incorporation in ice-cream, the effect on chemical properties, sensory parameters and meltdown characteristics of the product were also evaluated. Survival studies of B. longum revealed higher counts than 10(7) in the product which is essential for probiotic bacteria to exhibit beneficial effect. Further, all the properties of this ice-cream were comparable to the regular ice-cream. Our studies conclude that encapsulation was able to maintain the requisite MBV of bifidobacteria in ice-cream without affecting the sensory characteristics. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1007/s12088-018-0720-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Tyr phosphorylation is a controversial issue in plant phosphoproteomics, ever since early analyses reported up to 5% Tyr phosphorylation in Arabidopsis ( Arabidopsis thaliana ), despite the lack of a classical Tyr kinase in the Arabidopsis genome ([Sugiyama et al., 2008][1]; [de la Fuente van Bentem

Mutants of the O-glycosylation pathway of extensins as well as molecular dynamics simulations uncover the effects of the O-glycosylation machinery on root hair tip growth.

Transcription activator-like effector nucleases successfully generate a heritable tomato mutant.

To date, the main long-standing model explaining phototropic bending is that of [Cholodny (1927)][1] and [Went (1926)][2], which suggests that the lateral distribution of a growth hormone regulates phototropism and which is supported by a substantial amount of molecular and cell biological evidence

Theoretical hydrogen (H(2)) yield by dark fermentative route is 12 mol/mol of glucose. Biological H(2) production yields of 3.8 mol/mol of glucose by microbes have been reported. Transient gene inactivation in combination with adaptive laboratory evolution strategy has enabled the H(2) yield to exceed the stoichiometric production values.

Diffuse leukoencephalopathy with spheroids (DLS) is a white matter neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive cognitive decline and motor symptoms 1–6, and histologically, by axonal swellings (‘spheroids’) and loss of axons and myelin 1–3,5,7–11. It was originally described as a rare, hereditary, autosomal dominant disorder (hereditary DLS: HDLS) 2, but there have been reports on DLS without family history as well (sporadic DLS: SDLS) 6,12–22. In 2012, Rademakers et al. 9 identified 14 different mutations in the colony stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) gene, which are located in exons 12–22 and affect the tyrosine kinase domain of the protein, in 14 families with HDLS. Interestingly, this gene shares the same signalling pathway as TYROBP (DAP12) and TREM2, whose mutations are implicated in polycystic lipomembranous osteodysplasia with sclerosing leukoencephalopathy (PLOSL, also known as Nasu-Hakola disease) 23–25. PLOSL shares similar clinicopathological profiles with DLS, such as a progressive neuropsychiatric decline and leukoencephalopathy with spheroids 26,27. In this paper we describe the clinicopathological features of two cases of SDLS. In one of them, genetic analyses of CSF1R, TYROBP and TREM2 were conducted, and no mutations in these genes were identified.

The use of small molecules to transiently modulate protein function can circumvent the limitations of classical genetic approaches caused by gene redundancy and lethality. Although chemical genomics and genetics screens facilitate the characterization of new biological components, they have infrequently led to the identification of target proteins involved in metabolism. The current state of metabolomics technologies permits the detection of thousands of molecules, allowing the exploration of yet uncharacterized metabolic pathways. The combination of these two approaches, termed here “ChemoMetabolomics”, is a promising application of both technologies. This novel approach will facilitate the detection of metabolic modulators, the dissection of the crosstalk in the metabolic network, and the development of hypotheses on how changes in metabolism affect developmental or cellular responses. Furthermore, it will facilitate the elucidation of the linkage between metabolic and developmental programs and assist the gain of an elaborated view of biological processes at the system level.

Carotenoids are versatile isoprenoids pigments, play a vital role in the cellular system, starting from antioxidant to gene regulation. Carotenoids are widely used in food, nutraceuticals, and cosmetics owing to their vitamin A, antioxidant and anticancer activities. The demand of carotenoids in various sectors has triggered the research to explore a commercially viable and environmentally friendly production. This article presents a short review of progress in carotenoids production from microbial platforms.

Over the past decade, metabolomics has developed into a major tool for studying the metabolism of organisms and cells, and through this approach much has been learned about metabolic networks and the reactions of organisms to various external conditions ([Lay et al., 2006][1]). Most of this work

In the current model of gravitropism, negative gravitropic (upward) growth of the shoot of a dicotyledonous plant involves sedimentation of starch-containing plastids (statoliths) in the endodermis (starch sheath). Here we show that high levels of brassinosteroids (BRs) counteract gravitropic growth, while BR deficiency enhances gravitropism irrespective of the presence of a functional starch sheath. These data support a role for BRs as negative regulators of the shoot graviresponse.

Systemic acquired resistance (SAR) is a salicylic acid (SA)-dependent heightened state of resistance against a broad spectrum of pathogens activated in the uninoculated systemic tissue of a pathogen-infected plant. For systemic protection to be initiated, a mobile signal that is produced at the site

We report the first draft genome sequences of the strains of plague-causing bacteria, Yersinia pestis, from India. These include two strains from the Surat epidemic (1994), one strain from the Shimla outbreak (2002) and one strain from the plague surveillance activity in the Deccan plateau region (1998). Genome size for all four strains is ~4.49 million bp with 139–147 contigs. Average sequencing depth for all four genomes was 21x.

OP phyla were created in the domain bacteria, based on the group of 16S rRNA gene sequences recovered from the Obsidian Pool. However, due to the lack of cultured representative it is referred to as candidate phyla. Wider ecological occurrence was predicted for the OP phyla, especially OP3, OP10 and OP11. Recently, members of phylum OP5 and OP10 were cultured, providing clues to their cultivation prospects. At last the bioprospecting potentials of the OP members are discussed herein.

The phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) plays an integral role in plant growth and development, but only recently have putative receptors been identified ([Razem et al., 2006][1]; [Shen et al., 2006][2]; [Liu et al., 2007][3]; [Pandey et al., 2009][4]). Our results, however, suggest that the putative

Several classes of small RNAs are known in plants and accumulating evidence indicates that different classes of small RNAs may function either cell autonomously or noncell autonomously to regulate gene expression. Here, a simple visual assay used to compare the biological activity of small RNAs

Trp-independent synthesis of indole-3-acetic acid ([IAA][1]) was proposed back in the early 1990s based on observations from Trp auxotrophs in maize ( Zea mays ; [Wright et al., 1991][2]) and Arabidopsis ( Arabidopsis thaliana ; [Normanly et al., 1993][3]). Recently, [Wang et al. (2015)][4]

[Ortega (1985)][1] proposed a simple first-order differential equation to describe plant cell extension and, unlike the Lockhart equation ([Lockhart, 1965][2]), it takes into account elastic deformation of the cell wall. [Cosgrove (1985)][3] and [Ortega (1985)][1] solved the equation for the

We have observed that a cis-acting regulatory element, known as site II, is overrepresented in the promoters of nuclear genes encoding components of the oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) machinery from both Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and rice (Oryza sativa). Site II elements have been described in promoters of rice and Arabidopsis proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) genes (Kosugi et al., 1995; Tre´mousaygue et al., 2003) and are also present in the majority of Arabidopsis genes encoding ribosomal proteins (Tre´mousaygue et al., 2003). Loss-of-function analysis has determined that a pair of site II elements present in the rice PCNA promoter is essential for the expression of a reporter gene in the shoot and root meristems of transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum; Kosugi et al., 1991, 1995). In fact, a promoter region containing these elements is enough to confer expression in tobacco protoplasts when fused to a minimal promoter (Kosugi et al., 1995). Similar elements in Arabidopsis PCNA-2 produce expression in root primordia and young leaves (Tre´mousaygue et al., 2003). Accordingly, these elements have been implicated in the expression of genes in meristematic tissues and/or proliferating cells. Site II elements are frequently present in more than one copy and found in combination with another motif, known as telo box or internal telomeric repeat due to its similarity to the repeated unit of plant telomeres (Tre´mousaygue et al., 2003) Fil: Welchen, Elina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; Argentina Fil: Gonzalez, Daniel Hector. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas; Argentina

The International Rice Functional Genomics Consortium (IRFGC) has initiated a project to provide the rice research community with access to extensive information on genetic variation present within and between diverse rice cultivars and landraces, as well as the genetic resources to exploit that

The microbe Agrobacterium tumefaciens is harmful to plants and useful to scientists for one and the same reason: It transfers DNA into plant genomes. Found in soil worldwide, Agrobacterium causes disease in plants by transferring its own DNA into plant cells. But in the laboratory, the ability to

We have focused our studies in the past several years on understanding protein trafficking from the secretory system to the vacuole—an organelle present in all plant cells. Here, we report an approach for generating and screening plants with defects in vacuolar biogenesis. Plant vacuoles are

Synthetic chemistry and plant biology intersect in myriad ways. To date, however, the overlap of research methods between these two fields is limited. Outside of the agrochemical industry, most synthetic chemists simply view plants as sources of diverse and structurally complex organic molecules (i.

We show for the first time that respiration can control ascorbate (AA) synthesis in plants. Evidence for this control is provided by (a) the localization of L-galactono-1,4-lactone dehydrogenase (GalLDH), the terminal enzyme in AA biosynthesis, with mitochondrial complex I, and its regulation by electron transport through this complex, (b) the absolute requirement of the enzyme for oxidized cytochrome c (cyt c(ox)) as substrate, and (c) the coordinated response of respiration and AA synthesis to stress induced by hormone treatment., Instituto de Fisiología Vegetal, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales

The role of mitochondrial calcium in plant cell signaling has received little attention due to the technical difficulties in measuring changes in the mitochondrial free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]m) in vivo. Here, we describe the unprecedented use of targeted aequorin to produce stably transformed

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are vital components of nearly all terrestrial ecosystems, forming mutually beneficial (mutualistic) symbioses with the roots of around 80% of vascular plants and often increasing phosphate (P) uptake and growth. We present novel data showing that AM fungi can

Etiolated seedlings of angiosperms illuminated for a few hours and then returned to darkness continue to accumulate chlorophyll (Chl) a ([Popov and Dilova, 1969][1]; [Adamson et al., 1997][2], and refs. therein). In leaves of barley ( Hordeum vulgare ) seedlings and leaves of Tradescancia albiflora

Environmental conditions, including light, temperature, water status, and soil salinity, all modify the redox state of plant cells ([Allen et al., 1995][1]). A number of studies have shown that oxidative stress is a common factor that affects plant growth and development under extreme environmental

Background/aims: Mutations of the human transforming growth factor β induced gene (TGFBI) were reported to cause lattice corneal dystrophy (LCD) in various nationalities. This study analysed the TGFBI gene in Vietnamese people with LCD. Methods: 13 unrelated families, including 34 patients and 21 unaffected members were examined. 50 normal Vietnamese people served as controls. Blood samples were collected. Genomic DNA was extracted from leucocytes. Analysis of TGFBI gene was performed using the polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing. Corneal buttons were studied histopathologically. Results: Two clinically distinguishable forms of LCD were revealed: one was typical of LCDI; the other was characterised by the late onset, thick lattice lines, and asymmetry between two eyes. Sequencing of the TGFBI gene revealed R124C mutation in three families and H626R mutation in 10 families. Congo red staining of the H626R-LCD cornea showed amyloid deposits in the subepithelial and stromal layers. Conclusions: R124C and H626R mutations of TGFBI gene caused LCD in Vietnamese people. R124C, a common cause of LCDI in many nationalities, was relatively rare, whereas H626R reported in several white people but not yet in Asians was most common (>75%) in Vietnamese people. Since the phenotype caused by H626R represents a new variant intermediate between LCDI and LCDIIIA, we proposed to consider it as LCD type IIIB.

To compare the pattern of localised nerve fibre layer (NFL) defects in normal tension glaucoma (NTG) and primary open angle glaucoma (POAG).50 NTG eyes and 36 POAG eyes, all with localised NFL defects, were enrolled. On retinal NFL photography, the proximity of the defect to the centre of the fovea (angle alpha) and the sum of the angular width of the defects (angle beta) were determined. Angle alpha was the angle made by a line from the centre of the fovea to the disc centre and a line from the disc centre to the disc margin, where the nearest border of the defect met. The patterns of localised NFL defects in NTG and POAG were compared with angles alpha and beta. Independent t test was used for statistical analysis.Angle alpha in NTG (35.1 (SD 20.0) degrees ) was significantly smaller than that of POAG (45.9 (21.9) degrees ) (p=0.02), while angle beta in NTG (49.0 (31.9) degrees ) was significantly larger than that of POAG (33.1 (23.9) degrees ) (p=0.01).The pattern of NFL defects in NTG was different from that in POAG. Localised NFL defects in NTG were closer to the fovea and wider in width than those in POAG.

Background: The Humphrey field analyser (HFA), Humphrey-Zeiss frequency doubling perimeter, and the Medmont automated perimeter (MAP) are three commonly used automated perimeters with threshold achromatic methodologies. Visual field loss may be detected earlier with strategies that target cell lines with reduced redundancy or which suffer selective damage. Method: To compare these three perimeters, 63 subjects who were glaucoma suspects, ocular hypertensives, glaucoma patients, or normal controls were recruited selectively. All subjects underwent testing using MAP central threshold, MAP flicker perimetry, HFA full threshold, HFA SITA perimetry, HFA short wavelength perimetry (SWAP), and frequency doubling perimetry (FDP). After visual field testing, equivalent tests were compared: MAP central threshold with HFA full threshold and HFA SITA perimetry; Medmont flicker perimetry with HFA SWAP and FDP. Results: On analysis of the MAP central threshold a kappa statistic and an area under the receiver operator curve (AUC) of 0.90 and 0.94, respectively, were found compared with HFA full threshold strategies, and 0.87 and 0.92 respectively, compared with HFA SITA. For MAP flicker a kappa statistic and an AUC of 0.65 and 0.81, respectively, were found compared with HFA SWAP and 0.87 and 0.96, respectively, compared with FDP. A quadrant analysis and comparison of mean defect between tests was also highly significant. Conclusion: Medmont and Humphrey perimeters correlated well; both may be used for clinical and research purposes with similar confidence.

Aim: To study the results of surgical management of keratomalacia in children. Methods: A clinical case series of all children with keratomalacia, admitted to an Indian centre during the period from June 2000 to June 2001 is presented. The parameters evaluated were demographic data, systemic associations, and results of medical and surgical intervention. Results: 29 children with keratomalacia ranging from 2 months to 5 years of age (mean 1.8 (SD 1.4) years) were included in the study. All children belonged to families of lower socioeconomic status. 27 patients (93.1%) had not been immunised at all. The systemic diseases precipitating the onset of keratomalacia included measles (41.37%), pneumonia (31.03%), and acute diarrhoea (37.93%). 36 eyes (66.7%) had total corneal melting and 11 (20.3%) eyes had paracentral corneal melting. In 15 eyes (27.8%) an emergency tectonic penetrating keratoplasty was performed of which only five grafts (33.3%) remained clear at a mean follow up of 7.3 (6.8) months (range 3–24 months). Seven eyes underwent optical penetrating keratoplasty, of which four grafts (57.14%) remained clear at a mean follow up of 6.4 (3.6) months (range 3–12 months). None of these could achieve a visual acuity better than 6/60. Conclusions: Corneal grafting surgery in keratomalacia is associated with poor visual outcome.

Germinating Ceratopteris richardii spores have proven to be a useful single-cell system for analyzing light and gravity regulation of development ([Cooke et al., 1995][1]; [Banks, 1999][2]; [Chatterjee and Roux, 2000][3]; [Murata and Sugai, 2000][4]), but the lack of a gene sequence database and of

Aims: To evaluate the effect of a visual field test educational video on the reliability of the first automated visual field test of new patients. Methods: A prospective, randomised, controlled trial of an educational video on visual field test reliability of patients referred to the hospital eye service for suspected glaucoma was undertaken. Patients were randomised to either watch an educational video or a control group with no video. The video group was shown a 4.5 minute audiovisual presentation to familiarise them with the various aspects of visual field examination with particular emphasis on sources of unreliability. Reliability was determined using standard criteria of fixation loss rate less than 20%, false positive responses less than 33%, and false negative responses less than 33%. Results: 244 patients were recruited; 112 in the video group and 132 in the control group with no significant between group difference in age, sex, and density of field defects. A significant improvement in reliability (p=0.015) was observed in the group exposed to the video with 85 (75.9%) patients having reliable results compared to 81 (61.4%) in the control group. The difference was not significant for the right (first tested) eye with 93 (83.0%) of the visual fields reliable in the video group compared to 106 (80.0%) in the control group (p = 0.583), but was significant for the left (second tested) eye with 97 (86.6 %) of the video group reliable versus 97 (73.5%) of the control group (p = 0.011). Conclusions: The use of a brief, audiovisual patient information guide on taking the visual field test produced an improvement in patient reliability for individuals tested for the first time. In this trial the use of the video had most of its impact by reducing the number of unreliable fields from the second tested eye.